Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Los Angeles faces its first Measure HLA lawsuit

Topline:
A lawsuit has been filed against the city of L.A. alleging that the city’s refusal to follow Measure HLA — an initiative passed by voters last year — is perpetuating unsafe conditions on Vermont Avenue. This is the first legal challenge arising from the initiative.
What does the lawsuit ask for? The lawsuit asks a judge to implement street safety upgrades on Vermont Avenue “completely and promptly” in the areas the city has already repaved, as well as along the portion of the corridor where Metro is installing a rapid bus lane.
Who is behind the lawsuit? Joe Linton is the plaintiff in the lawsuit. He is the editor of the transportation safety-focused Streetsblog LA. Linton is filing the suit as a resident of L.A., not in his capacity as an editor for Streetsblog. He will be stepping away from related coverage for the publication while the lawsuit is ongoing.
Linton’s research: “In researching my Streetsblog coverage of Measure HLA and the Vermont Transit Corridor project, I became frustrated encountering repeated instances where the city continues to ignore its own plans for a safe and truly multimodal Vermont” Linton, who lives near Vermont Avenue, said in a post on Streetsblog LA.
What Measure HLA supporters say: Streets for All, the group that spearheaded Measure HLA, said Linton is one of the city’s “hardest working” street safety advocates. It is asking “the city to respect the will of the voters, and implement Measure HLA promptly.”
The city's response: LAist has reached out to the offices of the mayor and city attorney for comment.
Go deeper:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter.
-
Children asked to waive right to see a judge in exchange for $2,500
-
There’s still a lot to be determined as the refinery, which supplies about one-fifth of Southern California's vehicle fuels, works to restore production and as data is collected.
-
The FCC voted to end E-Rate discounts for library hotspot lending and school bus Wi-Fi.
-
About half the Pacific Airshow’s 2025 lineup has been grounded because of the federal government shutdown.
-
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding.